Maine Bikers Seek Protection Under State Civil-Rights Law

AUGUSTA, Maine - There's a price to pay for being tough, tattooed and clad in leather, Maine's bikers complain - discrimination when they look for a place to dine or spend the night.

United Bikers of Maine is asking the Legislature to add motorcyclists to the state Human Rights Act - the same law that protects against discrimination based on race, gender and religion.

"We know where we can and can't go. We've complained about it, but there's not much we can do about it," said Michael Behr, a United Bikers member who wears a leather jacket and has multiple ear piercings. He's also president of the Maine Hell's Angels.

They get no support from Gov. Angus King, even though he rides a Harley-Davidson. King opposes the proposal along with restaurateurs and hotel operators, who say they should have the freedom to be "discerning" about their clientele.

But Behr said members of United Bikers are tired of being turned away from bars, restaurants and hotels just because they wear tough-looking black leather jackets covered in "colors," or patches representing bike clubs.

"Some would say that we want special rights," Behr said. "It has nothing to do with special rights. We want the same rights as everyone else."

Robert Howe of the Maine Innkeepers Association said the proposal has little to do with legitimate groups that are protected under the state human-rights law.

"People cannot change their skin color, or their religion. But a biker can change his clothes," Howe said.

The bill, modeled after a proposal that made it into law last year in Minnesota, would expand the state human-rights law to prohibit discrimination against motorcyclists or people who wear clothing that displays the name of a motorcycle association or organization. An Arizona legislative panel rejected a similar law recently.

Bikers say unfair stereotypes started in 1953 with "The Wild One," in which Marlon Brando played the leader of a motorcycle gang menacing a small town.

"This isn't the 60s or the 70s anymore," Behr told a legislative committee. "This isn't `let's see how bad we can freak out the citizens.' "

The average biker is 38 years old and married with some college education and a household income of $41,000 a year, according to a survey by the American Motorcyclist Association.

"Like the general population, we cover the spectrum," said Robert Rasor, spokesman for the association, which also supports the Maine proposal.

The bill's future doesn't look promising, however.

"There is not enough evidence of severe and pervasive discrimination to cause motorcyclists to be added high to the Maine Human Rights Act," said Patricia Ryan, executive director of the Maine Human Rights Commission.

A spokesman for the governor says the new proposal disparages past arguments for gay rights, civil rights and equality.

"It's a different argument when you argue I was born this way vs. I was discriminated against because I'm wearing a leather jacket," said Dennis Bailey, an aide to the governor.

To bikers, however, taking off the patch-festooned jacket is not an option, not even to get into a bar or fancy restaurant.

"We don't take our patches off," Behr said. "That's not something we do. If my patch isn't welcome, my money isn't welcome."